Deathrow Gameshow (1987)

Deathrow Gameshow is one of those movies that was forever a part of my “Oooh I’ll pick it up next time” lists. Anyone who lives outside of the US or Canada will probably no doubt appreciate that importing films is an expensive game. In fact at the time of writing with the pandemic in full swing and Brexit flossing it’s teeth ready for the big chomp the costs of importing are already beginning to show themselves. With even light items such as single discs without cases or even a single disc light weight DVD costing anywhere between $35 and $85 in just the cost of shipping alone.

As such; I have to be choosey on films I choose to get from Vinegar Syndrome or Severin Films or AGFA purely because; picking up a bad film I dont like stops being mildly inconvenient and starts being financially unviable as a game.

And so we have the “I’ll get it next time” culture. During sales I’ll fill my basket with all manner of goodies and then inevitably see the cost of shipping, lose my shit, and have to put things back. Deathrow Gameshow is a film I’ve probably put back about 4 times before finally picking it up in 2019…and even then it just…sat on my shelf for the best part of a year and a half being overlooked by what I at the time considered better movies or for films that were time sensitive and could only be seen within a certain window of time.

And in many ways I really regret not checking in on this one sooner. I mainly put it down to the poster/cover art which; to me? I find quite ugly. Thats not to say the original VHS artwork was exactly “Dazzling” but I dunno; something about the poster art (see below in the thumbnail) just…doesnt sell this movie to me. it feels cheap. it feels like it’s going to be attempting to ape existing movies (I personally get real Shock Treatment vibes off it) it just doesnt feel like the kind of movie thats worth $55+ when shippings factored in (there or there abouts).

But Y’know what? if you can look past the garish and uninteresting promotional material for this one, theres quite a bit to have fun with! it’s an easy going film that relies on quite well written “Stupid/Manic” comedy to get the job done. and while the miss rate is noticeable on gags. the hits are really solid! but…I’ve probably said too much here. Check out my full review below if you want the deep dive!

Ugh…that poster…like I say; neither the VHS artwork or this are particularly great. but I just…REALLY dont get on with this one.

by tytdreviews

Nutbag (2000)

Well! We’re back at it again! and oh BOY! this weeks episode made me a happy boy last year! lets be honest; 2020 was a bit rubbish, I mean, I enjoyed lockdown because im an introvert masochist who enjoys quiet rooms, comfy chairs and the occasional appearence of matron with the tea and busicuits. but for a TON of people lockdown was essentially a “Forgotten year” a time that most people will deeply miss and some people will never retake.

even I admit that there were times (particularly around summer) where I got a bit longful for ocean breezes, cheap ice cream and driving through the hills and valleys with a pleasent summer heat in the air, my sunglasses stuck firmly to my face and nothing to do and nowhere in particular to go except cruising to my hearts content.

Thrifting is something I’ve missed particularly, I used to have 3-4 shops I would visit monthly if not fortnightly to see what new stuff had come in. but the only thing worse than having to go to the shop in a pandemic is going to a 2nd hand shop in a pandemic. you dont know WHAT the previous owner of that copy of “Swamp Shark” did with it! could have coughed on it and rubbed it up his bum for all you know! So unfortunately it’s been over a year since I last went out and dug through bargain bins, ruffled through rummage sales or cherry picked from charity shops.

I have however found partial relief in stores like Music Magpie or CEX who’ve been sort of satiating my flea market cravings with their online services. they sell all manner of cheap and nasty movies for as little as 50p a film. and before all this business kicked off I used to go to my local CEX fairly regularly to try and score cheap films with big thrills like “Cyborg Cop” or “Darkbreed” now I can cherry pick exactly what tat I want for the same low low prices and get them delivered straight to my door! result!

I mean; it’s not the same as finding some genuine tat out in the wild. But it’s better than nothing. and thats how I ended up with todays film. “Nutbag” was one of 6 movies I picked up from Music Magpie in early autumn last year. and within minutes of putting it on it very quickly became apparent that something was very VERY wrong with it.

I go into detail in the review itself about how the dramatic cuts in the UK release have effected this movies viability. but there was one thing I feel I missed out mentioning in the review that I would like to clarify. I dont think anyone will call me out on this, but im putting this here as a rebuttle just on the off chance that this ever does comes up. Inevitably I feel someones going to ask me “Why did you review and trash this incomplete version of the movie!?” or “It isnt fair to review this cut version, you should review the work as the director intended.” but; the reality is. the BBFC are an advisory board. they cant force anyone to make any cuts to their work that they dont want to make. they can only suggest cuts in order to make it more likely that your film will be released over here in Britain. Director Nick Polumbo agreed to the cuts suggested to this movie, either he did or the distributors did. either or both of them thought that what the BBFC suggested were fine enough recommendations to still leave a presentable end product.

So; from my perspective. This version is approved by the director. I can find absolutely ZERO evidence to the contrary. and he’s made a profit off the sale of this cut version over here, so while the US version is probably the “Defacto” cut of Nutbag. the UK version is just as valid an offering in terms of legitimacy. and as a critic I can only judge what is presented to me. and what was presented to me here was a hilarious farce of a movie. I highly HIGHLY recommend if you can find the UK cut of this film, you do so at the next convenience. its created a gutteral reaction from almost everyone i’ve shown this to. it barely breaks an hour and what it does in that hour is SO hilariously rubbish and naff I honestly think this should be seen as a B-movie on the level with the likes of “The Room” or “Birdemic” for just…how bizarre it actually is.

And the best part of all this? I got this film for 50p. and there are TONS of copies available. so this year. if you need cheering up or a laugh. go buy the UK cut of Nutbag. genuinely; one of the funniest best worst movies i’ve seen in at least the last 10 years.

The poster for this ones a bit…”Meh…” but trust me. it comes up with the goods!
by tytdreviews

The “Casino Royale” (1967) Comedy Dining Experience

So! a new season of TYTD Reviews in imminently upon us, BUT! as we’re still on a break until February 5th on the reviews front, it means all you lucky people get a double helping of the Comedy Dining Experience this time round! And as a way of seeing off the 60’s and the connery era on the whole we thought it best to bookend this decade with arguably one of the messiest, most calamatous films we’ve ever covered.

This film is a frantic mess, it pains me really to call it a film AND THATS ME TALKING! but both me and Ben had quite the blast doing this one. Unfortunately we did encounter a few audio issues with this recording. for reasons we’re not entirely sure how or why the audio seemingly drifts helplessly off course from the 30 minute point onwards. in spite of us clap synching in AND out when I lined up the audio it just seemed to drift further and further away. This is the only episode this drift issue has happened on and we can only put it down to the fact that Ben had to send me his side of this recording via a burnt CD-R

So maybe it was read/write speeds? maybe it was playback issues? I dont know. either way this version *Should* in theory stay synched to the whole film (Or at the very least. it begins when the film begins and ends when the credits finish without the drift being too noticable a problem.

So! this is it! the end of 60’s era Bond! We’ll be giving you guys a double helping of commentaries in February, though no Bond this month while we gear up for the new reviews. We’ll be back on the Bond scene in March with “Live and Let die” and from there normal service will resume as we tackle 70’s Bond!

This poster is Some kind of a woman! MUCHA MUCHACHA!!!
by tytdreviews